The Weekly News Update is a weekly roundup of business news from around the Asia-Pacific region, covering Fusion Consulting's core industry practices: chemicals, consumer & retail, financial services, industrial & logistics, information & communication technology, life science and media & leisure. If you have colleagues or friends who may be interested in subscribing, please forward this email to them and copy knowledge@fusionc.com.    2008 Asia-Pacific pay-TV operators survey, 4th edition   Programmers, find out what the major cable, satellite and IPTV platforms in Asia  and Australia think about your channels and support, their programming plans and  their hopes and fears for the future of the industry. This survey targets  programming managers at 50 major carriers in 16 countries across the region,  focusing on the largest players in each country. In cooperation with ContentAsia.  Request more information. Media & leisure

China - Internet users reach 210 million Source: China Economic Review, 21 January 2008 China's internet population has soared to 210 million people by the end of 2007, putting it on track to surpass the US online community this year to become the world's largest. The China Internet Network Information Center said the online population grew 53%, from 137 million reported at the same time in 2007. According to the government's Xinhua News Agency, China is only five million behind the US. China is already the No.1 nation for mobile phones, with users numbering 539.4 million at the end of November 2007. Internet use in rural areas was up 127.7% year-on-year to 52.6 million. China's total number of online gamers rose 23% to 40.17 million in 2007 with sales growing 61.5% to US$1.46 billion. China - Arrivals to Chinese SARs to rise in 2007 Source: Xinhua, 20 January 2008 The number of Chinese mainland tourists to Hong Kong and Macau was expected to grow by 10% and 20%, respectively, in 2007. The China National Tourism Administration expects visitor arrivals to Hong Kong and Macao to reach 15.5 million and 12 million, respectively, in 2007. The extension of the "Individual Visitor Scheme", which allows residents of 49 mainland cities to visit the two SARs in their individual capacity, has fuelled growth. Meanwhile, Macau is expected to surpass Hong Kong as a tourist destination. The total number of visitors to Macau surged 22.7% to more than 27 million arrivals in 2007. Hong Kong recorded 28 million visitor arrivals in 2007, up 10% on 2006. If growth rates are maintained, Macau will take the lead in 2008. Korea - Media convergence put on fast track Source: Korea Herald, 18 January 2008 Korea plans to deregulate the broadcasting and communication sector to fuel its growth. The Korea Broadcasting Commission, which manages broadcasting policies and regulations, will absorb telecommunications-related functions of the Ministry of Information and Communications. Incoming president Lee Myung-bak claimed that Korea is 5-10 years behind other advanced countries in the convergence of broadcasting and telecommunications. The decision to create the Broadcasting-Communications Commission is seen as a boon to telecom players. Commercialised IPTV is the subject of eager anticipation by telecom players as it represents a broadcasting/telecom convergence business model through which to create new streams of revenue. View an example of our experience in this industry. Back to list of articles.  Visit our website to sign up for free intelligence on Asian markets.

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